Vaccines for Seasonal Flu and other Influenza

Primary Listings

Influenza and Covid Vaccination Rates among Healthcare Personnel

CDC reports rates of vaccination of health care workers for influenza and Covid-19 in the last completed flu season (2021-2022). An estimated 80% of healthcare workers were vaccinated for influenza, about the same as the prior year. Gains in vaccinations among 18 to 30 year olds  and 30 to 48 year olds were noted. Best rates were by hospitals (92%), physicians (96.8%) and pharmacists (94.6%). Ambulatory care settings improved by 4 points to 81.2%. Long-term care setting vaccinations were just 66.4% (about the same as prior year). Be sure to inquire if your clinic and nursing home staff are getting vaccinated. Rural health care workers had only a 76.5% immunization rate.

In addition, CDC reported the Covid-19 vaccination rates for 2021-2022. Over 87% of healthcare personnel completed the primary COVID-19 vaccination series. Two thirds of them also received their first booster dose. In long-term care, 80% of staff completed their primary series of Covid shots; 61% got their first booster. Published October 2022.

Mandatory Influenza Immunization of Health Care Personnel – Policy Editor's Pick

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends Mandatory Influenza Immunization of All Health Care Personnel. A Policy Statement from is from the Committee on Infectious Diseases. Published in Pediatrics journal, October 2015.

Vaccination Resources – Seasonal Flu (CDC)

See Seasonal Flu vaccination resources for 2022-2023 Flu Vaccines, including getting the influenza vaccine during the COVID-19 pandemic, and getting both shots at the same time. Resources from CDC.

Other Helpful Listings

Delaware Hospital Infections – 2018-2019

Compare eight Delaware hospitals on their numbers of infections every quarter. Six types of Actual infections are compared to predicted. See the now-old Annual Report (2018 full year report published June 2019) to view whether a hospital is better or worse than average. Christiana Care Christiana Hospital was significantly better than national average for CLABSI (central line associated bloodstream infections) and Colon Surgery infections; Christiana and St. Francis were better for C.Diff. No hospitals scored statistically worse for any of the infections, including MRSA. No quarterly updates were published during 2020 at the site. Staff influenza vaccination rates also shown; one hospital (St. Francis Healthcare) did not meet 90% goal during the 2018-2019 flu season. DE Health & Social Services DHSS, 2019. No updates are available for 2019, 2020, 2021 or 2022 infections, as of February 2023.

Influenza Vaccination for Healthcare Personnel (Joint Commission)

Resources to improve influenza vaccination for healthcare personnel from The Joint Commission.  Joint Commission standards for immunizing health care personnel (HCPs) against influenza – both seasonal flu and pandemic flu. Strategies from research and best practices from others are shared in order to improve vaccination rates (to reach a 90% goal), thereby protecting both patients and staff, and reducing the spread of influenza.

Rhode Island Hospital Ratings 2018

Compare RI hospitals on four types of infections, readmissions, surgical complications, ER waiting time, how many hospital staff get their flu shot, patient satisfaction recommendations and more. All 14 hospitals on one page. Low ratings (one diamond only) clearly marked. However, most data from 2016 and 2017, published May 2018, and therefore out of date. No update available from Rhode Island Dept. of Health as of October 2022, but only a link to the federal Care Compare site.